Three first half goals from the Youth Team set them on their way to a 3-1 victory over Wrexham on Saturday.

James Neild broke the deadlock with a stunning overhead kick, before Neil Kuemo and Fabio Tavares ensured Dale were 3-0 ahead at the break.

There was a consolation goal for Wrexham 14 minutes from time, but Dale were comfortable and could have added to their tally.

The visitors created the first chances of the match, sending two efforts wide inside the opening quarter of an hour.

An acrobatic effort from close range flew wide, before a dipping effort from outside the area dropped just wide of Brad Wade’s far post.

Tavares sent Dale’s first effort straight at the goalkeeper after being found by a Neild ball over the top, before the defender broke the deadlock in superb fashion.

A Dale free-kick was headed up in the air to the far post, where Neild produced a stunning overhead kick to find the far corner.

Kuemo sent an effort wide of the near post after a fine passing move found the forward inside the area, but he found the target two minutes later to double Dale’s lead.

A well worked throw-in on the right was cross to Kuemo on the edge of the area, who took a touch and fired low with a clinical finish.

Florent Hoti struck narrowly wide of the upright from outside the area after a quick counter attack, and Dale effectively sealed victory six minutes before half-time.

Louis White found Kuemo with a pass through the centre of the pitch, who in turn played a perfect through ball for Tavares. He let the ball run past the goalkeeper, and slotted into the empty net.

Dan Adshead saw a shot blocked and Aaron Morley curled wide after the break, as Dale looked to add to their tally.

Tavares also saw an effort blocked, and Kuemo produced a stop from the Wrexham goalkeeper after a fine burst forward.

Hoti had a strike deflected over the crossbar, and Kuemo’s strike on the turn was well held as Dale continued to dominate.

Lewis Bradley, Charlie Leech and Musambya Kisimba were introduced, meaning Dale would finish the match with four Academy players on the pitch.

The visitors scored a consolation goal when Wade miskicked a backpass, allowing the striker to race onto the loose ball and tap home.

Substitute Kisimba made an impact when he came on, setting up fellow substitute Bradley for an effort at goal which flew just wide of the far post, before bending an effort just wide himself.

Aaron Morley’s deflected free-kick was well saved, and Bradley could only poke the rebound over the crossbar in what was the final chance of the match.

Dale XI: Wade, Matheson, Neild, Renner, Appiah (72’ Leech), White (72’ Kisimba), Morley, Adshead, Hoti, Kuemo, Tavares (66’ Bradley).